Builders

marask

Hello
Can you recommend any builders in (south) Dublin - please pm. Looking to extend the living room to the back of the house.
I seem to be having difficulties to get anyone to give me a quote- they just stop communicating for some reason after being interested first. Am I doing something wrong?
Suggestions welcome
Thanks

DOCARCH

What are you looking for a quote for, and, have you drawings/specifications?

marask

Sorry, I am looking to get an extension of about 30 sqm to the back of the house, single storey - living room, and add downstairs toilet
I dont have any drawings etc,
Also wanted to ask if I need an architect for this?

DOCARCH

There are a lot of builders who will not price without having a set of drawings...i.e. something to base their price on!

Without drawings and/or a specification...even if you had prices...there is no way you could compare prices, as you would be leaving up to each builder what you might get!

For a 30 m.sq. extension you really should get at least get design drawings prepared, and, ideally some basic construction drawings/specifications.

marask

Thanks

tuisginideach

Also many builders don't want to waste their time and money on preparing quotes for jobs they probably won't get - they have all heard the 'my son in law's friend is going to do it but I just want to see what ideas other builders have' ...type of comments. Sadly this impacts on the genuine person who is really interested in getting a quote from a particular builder rather than five or six builders.

marask

I contacted three builders companies, where one said right away they are fully booked for months ahead, second was asking lot of questions and gone quiet after I answered and third one said they would give approx price last week but so far nothing.
How do I get them to believe me? I carefully picked these three after studying theif website etc, as I want someone who is good but this doesn't help. If they don't trust the potential customers how do they get the job?

sydthebeat

marask wrote: »

I contacted three builders companies, where one said right away they are fully booked for months ahead, second was asking lot of questions and gone quiet after I answered and third one said they would give approx price last week but so far nothing.
How do I get them to believe me? I carefully picked these three after studying theif website etc, as I want someone who is good but this doesn't help. If they don't trust the potential customers how do they get the job?

if you dont have drawings and a construction specification then all builders are not pricing like for like, therefore many good builders wont bother quoting... as they could be undercut by some one whos going to do a half assed job.

if you want accurate quotes, you need proper dimensioned and specified drawings

DOCARCH

Did they ask you if you had drawings?

marask wrote: »

How do I get them to believe me?

...get drawings!

marask

They did not
I will get that sorted, hopefully will get somewhere..
Thanks for the help

doolox

...This is what we had to do when getting a modest 10 sq mtr ext done. Also attic conversion so had to go the full planning route but it worked out well. I got a builder who had done next door neighbours ext so I could see his work at first hand. Waiting 12 months for the builder but worth it in the end.

Do likewise and try and arrange viewing of builders previous work if a suitably obliging previous customer can be found.

You will find that close members in your family will panic at the sight of all the dirt, dust knocked out walls etc until the final finish comes together very quickly in the final 2-3 days. If they have seen the builders previous work at first hand the stress and panic won't be as severe.

Another note is that everyone should be covered for at least 12 months rental accommodation in the event of needing repair or rebuild of their own house if damaged because it takes that long to engage a builder. Check your insurance will cover this.